Hatmaking machine



Jan. 6, 1942. G. s. ADLER a-rAl. 2,268,555

' HATMAKING MACHINE Filed May e,l 1959 4 sheets-sheet 1 GbRGE s. Anus/e ma 'BY HEL Mur/f 144 WAzDok/f.

l ATTORNEY.

Jan. 6, 1942. G. s. ADLER ETAL 2,268,555

HATMAKING MACHINE Filed May 6, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTORS. GEORGE s. am se AND BY I ATTORNEY.

Jan. 6, .1942. G. s. ADLER ETL HATMAKING MACHINE Filed May 6, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 GEOFGE HEI I4 vl "l 4 ATTORNEY.

Jan. 6, 1942. G. s. ADLER ETAL 2,268,555

HATMAKING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 6, 1939 1N VENT ORS. GEQGE 5. Half@ Alva HELMUT/1 IM W/IZD/ef.

.BY y' I ATTORNEY. Y

Patented Jan. 6, 1942 UNITED STATES Ts OFFICE HATMAKING MACHINE Adler and one-half York, N. Y.

Seymour Prince, New

Application May 6, 1939, Serial N0. 272,196

Y Claims. (Cl. 223-12) This invention relates to -apparatus for and methods of making hat bodies. It is particularly directed to the method of making a hat body having a crown and a brim, from a flat piece of material, such as felted wool, and to a machine for making such a hat in accordance with said method.

This application is a continuation in part of application of applicants for Hatmaking machine, Serial No. 133,170 i'lled March 26, 1937.

An object of this invention is to provideI a method of forming a hat body of 'at stockwhich consists in clamping the stockbetween aV pair of annular clamps, resiliently pressed together against opposite sides of said piece of stock, one of the clamps being disposed at the periphery of an annular die for the top surfaceofy the brim of the hat body, and then lowering Va crown block against the center of the piece of stock to draw the material through the springV pressed clamps, and push the same through the central opening of the brim die to press the material against said brim die, whereby the brim portion of a hat body is formed against the brim die, and the crown portion of the hat is formed. by the crown block.

Another object of this inventioniis to provide a method of the character describedin Whicha cord is stitched annularly around thepieceof material on a diameter larger than the diameter of the clamps, whereby to act as a stop when the material is drawn through the clamps, so that after the cord contacts the clamps further movement of the crown block through the brim die will stretch the material, whereby the material is partly drawn through the spring pressed clamps and partly stretched. With this method the hat body may be made from a smaller sheet. The stop cord also serves to permit the material to be drawn through the clamps evenly, because if the material is drawn through the clamps at any point faster than at another point, the cord will contact the clamps sooner at the point where the material is drawn through faster, and the cord will serve as a stop at said point, while per'- mitting the material to continue to be drawn through the clamps at other points where the cord has not yet contacted the clamps. When the cord substantially contacts the clamps all around, then the stretchingv of the cloth begins, as the crown block continues moving downwardly through the central opening in the brim die.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the character described, a pair of' spring pressed clamps toengage opposite sides 55 of the flat stock, one of the clamps beingformed with a groove and the other of said clamps being formed with a ridge complementary to said groove, so that the material is drawn between the ridge and groove of said clamps, thereby permitting the stock to be drawn through the clamps more smoothly and evenly.

Still another object of this invention is to provide in a hat body making machine of the character described, a pair of annular clamps adapted to receive a at piece of stock therebetween, and resilient means to press the clamps against opposite sides of said stock, and a crown block movable relative to said clamps after the clamps have been resiliently pressed together, without changing the pressure of the clamps on the piece of stock.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a method for making hat bodies, of the character described, consisting in resiliently pressing a pair oi annular clamps against opposite sides of a at piece oi stock, and then moving a crown block against the middle of thepiece of stock to draw the stock through the clamps, with the pressure of theclampssuch as to permit thestockto bedrawn therethrough without damaging the stock.

Still another object of this invention isrto provide a rugged, compact and durable machine of the character described, which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to manipulate and practical and eflicient to a high degree in use.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a highly improved and economical method of the character described, which shallbe simple and easy to carry out for efficiently producing brimmed hat bodies.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the combination of steps, features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts. which will be exemplied in the construction and method hereinafter described, and of which rthe scope of application will beV indicated inthe following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown various possible illustrative embodiments of this invention,

y Fig. 1 is an elevational cross-sectional view of the yessential parts of a hat body making machine, embodying the invention,`at the vbeginning 'o fthe' improved method of making a hat body;

Figs: 2 to 4 are elevational cross-sectional 'views of the apparatus shown in Fig. l at successive stages in the improved method;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the machine, embodying the invention, and illustrating a modified construction;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational View thereof;

Fig. '1 is,l a cross-sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, but showing another position of the apparatus;

Fig. 9 is a top plan View of the piece of stock from which the hat body is made; and

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional View taken on line IIJ-I0 of Fig. 9.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, I0 designates a machine embodying the invention for forming a hat body H, having a crown C, and a brim B, from a properly sized, flat, annular piece of stock S of felted wool or other similar material.

The machine comprises a fixed lower part II. The lower part II comprises an annular member I2 supporting a lowerannular brim die I3. The die I3 has a central opening I5 of such dimension as to receive a crown block I6. The die I3 has an annular upwardly and outwardly tapering upper surface I1, against which is formed the upper surface of the brim of the hat body, as will be seen hereinafter.

At the outer periphery of the surface I1 is an annular clamp I8 which may be integral with die I3, and formed with an annular, upwardly extending ridge I9.

The member I2 is formed with an annular passage 26 communicating with a gas supplypipe 2|, and die I3 has an outwardly extending ange 22 closing the top passage 29 and formed with a plurality of burner openings 23, whereby to heat the die member I3.

The machine I9 further comprises a movable part, head or member 26 disposed above the xed part II, and mounted in any suitable manner for Vertical movement axially of the xedpart. Member 26 is provided with an outwardly extending annular fiange 21 having vertical openings 28 through which there extends a plurality of vertical pins 29, to the upper end of which are screwed nuts 39 contacting the top of flange 21.

The lower ends `of the pins 29 are screwed to an annular clamp 3l adapted to contact the clamp I8 of die |13, and formed with an annular groove 33 complementary to the annular ridge I9. Received on the pins 29, and interposed between the clamp 3I and the flanges 21', are'coil compression springs 35.

It will now be understood that as the head 26 is moved axially, downwardly toward the xed part ll, the upper clamp 3I will press a piece of stock S placed on the clamp I8, against the latter. As the head 26 continues to descend, the springs 35 become compressed for increasing the pressure of the clamps against the opposite sides of the piece of stock, the pressure increasing until movement of the head 26 stops.

As shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the stock will be pressed around the ridge I9 and into the groove 33.

'Ihe head 26 is furthermore formed below the flange 21, with an annular, outwardly extending flange 31, having a downwardly extending skirted portion 38. The ange 31 is formed with a plurality of vertical pin openings 39, through which there extends pins 40 having heads 4I contacting the upper surface of said flange.

Screwed to the lower ends of the pins 4I, is an annular upper pressing member 42, having an upwardly and outwardly tapering under-surface 44, complementary to the surface I1 of die I3.

` Said member 42 has a central opening large enough to permit the crown block to pass therethrough. On the pins 40 and interposed between member 42 and the flange 31, are coil compression springs 45. The pressing member 42 is disposed below the head 26 and somewhat spaced therefrom. As the head 26 descends to clamp the piece of stock, the member 42 will press the piece of stock against the surface I1, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the weight of said member 42 and the pressure of the springs 45 serving to supply the necessary pressure.

As the head 26 moves from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3, the lower end of member 42 will engage the piece of stock and draw the piece of stock through the spring pressed clamps. The material thus has to slide around the ridge I9 as it is drawn through the clamps I8, 3I by member 42.

Mounted on the head 26 is an upwardly eX- tending annular cylinder 50, having a top wall 5I and a bottom wall 52. Communicating with the top wall 5I, is a pipe 53, by means of which a pressure or vacuum may be applied within the cylinder, as indicated by arrows in Fig. 1.

The bottom wall 52 is formed with an axial opening 54, through which there extends a piston rod 55 carrying a piston head56 at its upper end, slidably mounted within the cylinder 59. I'he crown block I6 is carried at the lower end of. the rod 55 and projects downwardly.

It will be understood that as the head 26 moves downwardly, from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 3, the crown block will move therewith. After the head 26 is in the position shown in'Fig. 3, pressure is turned on in the pipe 53, to drive the piston 56 downwardly to the bottom of the cylinder 50, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The piston carries with it crown block I6, which presses downwardly against thecenter of the piece of stock tocontinue drawing the material through the clamping members to the position shown in Fig. 4, the crown block passing through the openings in the members 42 and I3 to form the crown portion C of the hat body H.

It Will be noted that as the crown block moves from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 4, the pressure on the clamping member 3I does not vary, butl remains uniform, the pressure being such as to permit the material to be drawn through the cl-amping members without injuring the stock.

After the parts are held in the position shown in Fig. 4 for a few seconds, usually about iifteen seconds, the pressure is removed from the vpipe 53, and a vacuum is drawn on this pipe causing the piston 56 to be retracted to the position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The head 26 of the machine may then be raised to the position shown in Fig. 1 to vremove the upper pressed member 42 and the clamping ring 3I fromI engagement with the brim portion B of the hat body, after which, the hat body may be removed from the machine. K

The hat is not necessarily complete at this point. The body may be provided with suitable trimmings in order'to make it a finished-.article of commerce,V in accordance with present practice,

-and it maybe further shaped .by `any lsuitable means, but the main shaping, molding land pressing roperations are completed .in fthe :machine described above. f

In Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 there is shown a machine embodying the invention, and illustrating a modied construction for an improved method-of making a hatbody from a at pieceof stock S, having stitched to the periphery and onone surface thereof, by chain stitching 60, an annular cord 6 I, for the purpose hereinafter appearing.'

The machine Illa shown in Figs. 5, 6,17 and8 is substantially similar to the machine shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, and lcomprisesrarffxed lower part Ilwhich may be supported `on any suitablev base Ila; and comprises a die member 2I3 having an upper, upwardly and outwardly flared or ltapered surface I1, andan annular ridge `I9 adby lock nuts 66 to a cross-head 61, at the upper end of the head 62. At their lower ends, rods 63 are xed by lock nuts 66a to a cross-member 67a. The head 52 is formed with an outwardly extending flange 69, having openings through which the rods 83 pass. Interposed between the anges 69 and the fixed part Il, are coil compression springs 18 to lift the head 62' when the foot pedal is released.

The cross-head 51 is formed with a plurality of through openings 'I3 through which there extends a plurality of vertical pins or bolts 14, to the lower ends of which is screwed the annular clamping member Tl, having an annular groove 18 complementary to the ridge I9. Adjustably attached to each pin 14, is a collar 19. Interposed between each collar 19 and the cross-head 6'! is a coil compression spring 8|.

Slidably mounted on the head B2 is an axial rod 84 carrying at its lower end a crown block 85. Pivoted to the upper end of the cross-head 61, is a lever 85a, having a pin and slot connection 86 with the upper end of the rod 84. Any `suitable spring means 85hmay be provided for normally raising lever 85, and hence crown block 85, when the lever is released.

The operation of the machine shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 will now be described:

The flat piece of stock S with the cord 6I stitched to the periphery thereof, is placed on top of the lower die I3 in contact with the annular ridge I9, and concentric therewith. The foot pedal or lever 65 is then depressed, to lower the head 62. As the head 62 islowered, the upper clamping member 'I7 will likewise be lowered until it contacts the piece of stock S. Further pressure downwardly on the foot lever will cause compression of the springs 8| to increase the pressure of the clamping members on opposite sides of the piece of stock. After the foot lever has been depressed, the hand lever 85a may then be swung downwardly for lowering the crown block 85. The crown block contacts the center of the piece of stock S, and as the block 'is pressed downwardly, it will draw the stock through the clamping members 11 and I9. The piece of stock gins.

will thus be moved downwardly against the brim diesurface II.

Asthe crown'fblock is lowered to the position shown in Fig. 8', the piece of stock` will be drawn in 'all around until the cord 6I lcontacts the clamping member-'ITL`- :After :the bord-contacts the clamping member, thestockv cannotbe drawn any more through the clamping members, and

.further movement ofthe -crown block down- Wardlyiwill cause the material'tostretch "or give,

ythus combining the-drawing -tofthe stock with the stretchingthereof, to form the'hat body H.

Should one-'part of the cordcontact the .clamping :member 11 before other parts ofthe cord Contact said clamping member, the part which contacts stops `the drawing operation at that point, .permitting the stock to 'be drawn vat other points wherelthe cord has not yet contacted the clampingfmember.'

It will be vunderstood that the drawing operation will thus V'be completed all around, Vso as vto be uniform, before thevstretching operationbe- An additionalgasheater 98 may be mounted `on the clamping member 11 to heatthe latter.

It will be noted that in the machine shown in Figs. 5 to v8, the crown block rstmoves together with the head and then moves independently of the head, without increasing the pressure o1" the springs 8| on the clamping members. Withi this construction, the collars 19 may be properly adjusted to obtain the proper spring pressure, to firmly clamp the piece of stock while permitting the piece of stock to be `drawn through the clamping members.

It will thus beseen that there is provided an apparatusvv and method in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet theconditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments vmight be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings 'is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described our invention, wey claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A method'of making a hat body, consisting I in attaching a piece of cord annularly around a flat piece of stock, then pressing annular members against opposite sides of the piece of stock inside of the cord, then pressing against the center of the piece of stock, to draw the piecev of stock through said annular members, to bring the cord against one of the annular members,

and then to continue pushing against the piece of stock to stretch the-latter.

2. A method of the character described, consisting in attaching a cord to a flat piece of stock annularly, then placing the piece of stock at the upper end of an upwardly and outwardly tapered brim die, concentrically of said die,then resiliently pressing an annular clamping Amember against the top surface of the piece of stock, in-

wardly of the cord, to press the piece of stock against the upper end of the die, then lowering a crown block axially of the die against the piece of stock, and through the central openingof the die to draw the piece of stock through said clamping member and upper end of the die, and to press the piecev of stock against the brim die until the cord stops further drawing of the stock between said clamping member and die, andv then continuing the `lowering of the crown block against the piece of stock to stretch the piece of ,stock forforming the crown and brim of the hat body.

3; A deviceY for making a hat body having a brim and a crown from a flat sheet, comprising an annular die having a surface corresponding tothe upper surface of the brimof the hat body, and an annular clampat the periphery of the die, a member movable axially of said die toward vsaid surface, an annular clamp movably mounted on` said member and adapted to press a sheet placed over said die against the rst clamp, spring means interposed between said member and second clamp adapted to resiliently press said second clamp against said sheet as said first memuber is moved toward said die, to press said sheet against said first clamp, a crown block mounted for movement relative to said member and second clamp, and axially of said die, means for moving Cil azafata',

stock. consistingin placing the stock between annular clamping members, one of which has an annular ridge .andA the other an annular complementary groove, pressing the clamping members against opposite sides of said stock, whereby thev ridge presses the stock into the groove, and then'pressing against the center of the piece of stock and drawing said piece of stock through the ridged and grooved portions of the clamping members.

5. A method of -forming a hat body from at stock, consisting in placing the stock between annular clamping members, one of which has an annular ridge and the other an annular complementary groove, pressing the clamping `members against opposite sides of said stock,

whereby the ridge. presses the stock into the groove,` and then pressing against the center of the piece of stock and drawing said piece of stock through the 4ridged and grooved portions of the clamping members, and maintainingthe pressure of the clamping members on the stock substantially constant as the piece of stock is drawn between sai-d clamping members.

GEORGE S. ADLER. HELMUTH W. WALDORF. 

